How to Use Herbs for Steam Inhalation

Materials:

• 4-6 quart pot
• Stove
• Table
• Towel or blanket
• Pot holder
• Dry or fresh herbs
• Essential oil(s) if doing the quick method (however, dry or fresh herbs are safer for a novice to use)

Types of Herbs For Steam Inhalation

Any herb with volatile, antimicrobial essential oils, or any herb capable of opening the nasal passages, can be used in a steam inhalation for respiratory congestion. Usually an herb that contains menthol is used, as menthol is key to opening up the nose and sinuses.

The opening of the passageway via a steam inhalation is due to both the steam of the water and the menthol in the herb. Two herbs with menthol that are easy to find and inexpensive are peppermint and wintergreen. The menthol in these herbs is what gives it that refreshing brisk coolness to our mouth with ingestion or when applied on our skin.  In addition to herbs with menthol, I also use a strong antimicrobial/anti-fungal herb to be added to the water such as thyme, or oregano.

Peppermint, oregano and thyme are generally easy to procure if you don’t already have them growing outside your door. You can also find a wide variety of dried herbs here.

 

Directions for Using Dried or Fresh Herbs for Steam Inhalation

1. Pour 2-4 quarts of water into the pot.
2. Bring the water to a boil.
3. Take the water off the heat.
4. Put the herbs in the pot and put the lid back on the pot and let it sit for a few minutes.
5. While waiting for a few minutes, prepare an area at a table where the head can be positioned above the pot without getting burnt by the pot.
6. Place the hot pot on the table, using a potholder to protect the table.
7. Drape a blanket over the head and pot, creating a vapor cocoon.
8. Sit over the pot with the head directly over the pot of tea & inside the blanket cocoon.
9. Breathe in the vapors. Keep your eyes closed so they don’t get irritated.

If the vapor cocoon gets too hot or too intense:

• Remove head from under the blanket.
• Rest a moment.
• Return when ready.

 

Directions For The Quick Method With Essential Oils

Essential oils should not be used by novices as they can damage their respiratory tract.

• Pour 2-4 quarts of water into the pot.
• Bring the water to a boil.
• Take the water off the heat.
• Prepare an area at a table where the head can be positioned above the pot without getting burnt by the pot.
• Place the hot pot on the table, using a potholder to protect the table.
• Drape a blanket over the head and pot, creating a vapor cocoon.
• Sit over the pot with the head directly over the pot of hot water & inside the blanket cocoon.
• Add 1-2 drops of essential oil to the pot. (Most essential oil bottles have a dropper top.)
• Breathe in the vapors. Keep your eyes closed so they don’t get irritated.

If the vapor cocoon gets too hot or too intense:

• Remove head from under the blanket.
• Rest a moment.
• Return when ready.

The essential oil will disappear as vapor very quickly so you will need to add 1-2 drops more of each essential oil when the oil vapor is gone. Do not add too much essential oil. Add sparingly.

These methods are courtesy of You Are The Healer.